Why You Need To Stop Sucking In Your Belly (& What To Do Instead)

Although many of us have learned to suck in our stomachs as a default mode, this is a habit that’s basically terrible for our bodies.
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Sucking in our bellies literally forces us to breathe with our upper chest, neck & accessory breathing muscles - so it can lead to a lot of neck pain & issues with the cervical spine.
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BTW Sucking in also messes up our core function, weakens our pelvic floors, throttles digestion, & generally wreaks havoc with everything that’s happening between our neck and our pelvis.
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In this video, I'm covering exactly what sucking in is, how it's different from core engagement, and how we really want our core to work.

Plus I'm going over the three basic breathing strategies our bodies can use and why one of them is really a lot more functional than the others.

And I'm sharing the foundational belly release exercise that will get you started on improving your breathing, core & pelvic floor function!

No equipment required!

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[prichelly]

Thank you so so much for this video. I’m currently under weight after being overweight for 3 years…it made me realize no matter how much weight I loose I still suck all the time due to insecurities. This video was my godsend . Very emotional for me but it’s a step inThe right direction. Thank you 🙏 💙

[loriwilliamson]

Thank you for talking about the emotional difficulty with letting our tummys just 'release'. It was REALLY hard to allow that! Thank you for validating my reservation about doing it. 🙂

[ENCHNTD_TR]

Just realized I’ve been sucking in my stomach for years… explains why it is hard to breathe sometimes

[achvac]

Super helpful and clarifying video, thank you Petra — I’ve always found the belly breathing instructed in yoga and meditation stressful and difficult so happy people are sharing these alternatives.

[gracelenehanvaughn]

Okay, when I’m not sucking in it feels like I’m forcefully pushing my stomach out and feel pressure everywhere and like I have to pee😅 it’s not comfortable lol

[Bobbagirl]

hello, I really love the way you explained, and I have a question. I have been sucking in my belly for consecutive months and now im pretty much used to it, but its really starting to affect the way I breathe. Would you please give me some advice on how to get back to normal breathing? thank you

[lesleyweatherford]

It is hard. I am 68 and have a mother who has told me, since I was about 8, to suck my stomach in.

[DesignX-fjdc]

Do you still do the take 10 program?? I need help so bad 🙏 I’ve had nightmare symptoms for over a year and a half and this might actually be part of my problem.

[marcieromano]

Found this fascinating and I'm working with it immediately. But I've been a big believer in Agni Sara practices, which I'm wondering now if they are sucking in and should be dispensed with. I thought it massaged the inner organs, but if I don't need it or it's counter-productive, I have no hesitation to drop it. What do you think?

[kathyschlesselman]

I gave myself a pelvic prolapse last year after going (too) hardcore with sit-ups in prep for my 65th birthday. Did PT for 4 months and was fitted with a pessary. Wondering if the pessary is detrimental in trying to strengthen my pelvic floor. I wear it 24/7 and have been severely limiting my lifting things from usual 40#+ to maybe 10# max. Your thoughts?

[kwashingtoncarroll]

So helpful and interesting. I see so many conflicting messages in yoga and other practices about this. Maybe it's also that they're not actually explaining what it means when they say "tighten your core" or whatever. I definitely suck in my belly, and it definitely feels hard to let it out, both from the tension there and the emotional side of it. I will practice. Thank you.

[janjaylangelo]

the physiology of the body is a wonder, meaning it functions the way it should be. Breathing is supposed to be a normal function that you dont have to think about like your the beating of your heart. it should come naturally. I appreciate the tips but it's not like you are lifting weight and doing yoga and pay attention to your breathing and muscles need to engage. conclusion, if I'm not breathing the way you suggest is to train my body to breathe this way 24/7? did I misunderstood your message and intent? maybe do this breathing exercise a few minutes a day. BTW, I don't suck my belly. this is my personal opinion as a RN.

[wdavis]

Are we literally suppose to let our stomachs all the way out and walk around with a relaxed stomach? Imagine someone just walking around with a winnie the pooh tummy popping out is what we are supposed to do?

Are you activating your TVA as you sit there on the floor talking to us?